We might be ho-ho-home for the holidays this year, but that doesn’t mean we have to while away the hours completely devoid of holiday tidings of comfort, joy, family drama, explosions, meaningful life lessons, and the good old-fashioned cackles that comes with seasonal viewings of Christmas movies favourites. Snuggle up on the couch covered in a comfy blanket, sip on a hot mug of chocolate, and enjoy some Christmas movie time. Here’s our pick of some festive humdingers to check out – for possibly the millionth time!
On Netflix
The Christmas Chronicles 2
Back by popular demand, Kurt Russell is back as Santa. This time, Kate Pierce, now a cynical teenager, is unexpectedly reunited with Santa Claus when a mysterious troublemaker threatens to cancel Christmas, forever. Not if Kurt Russell has anything to say about it.
Klaus
For some presents, it’s up to the postman to get the delivery done, especially when it delivers joy to a cold, dark town. In this Academy Award nominee animated movie, a selfish postman teams up with a toymaker to bring happiness to a town.
Arthur Christmas
Imagine having Mr Claus as your dad? Just a day in the life of Arthur Christmas, who has been tasked with an ultra-secret and super-important Christmas mission. Beats a day working at the super-secret toy-making facility.
Let It Snow
At this point, we’re sure the guys over in Hollywood are running out of Christmas song lyrics to title their movies, but this Netflix movie at least has a solid reason. When a snowstorm hits a small town, and a bunch of teenagers get stuck in it, new friendships are made, and even a little festive romance is thrown in for good measure.
Elf
One of the most famous and best-loved Christmas films of all time, we love Elf. “Buddy The Elf, what’s your favourite colour?” still rings in our brains even after the first time we watched Will Ferrell’s silly and hilarious Elf. Most of us may have seen him travel to New York to find his real dad, but that doesn’t stop us watching it every year.
The Polar Express
Don’t believe in Christmas like the poor boy in this animated epic? Hop on board the magical Polar Express straight to the North Pole and your views will change. Also, Tom Hanks voices nearly everyone in this festive adventure – try and guess who.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
And we can’t forget Jim Carrey’s take on the green scrooge. The 2000 version will always be a favourite Christmas film in our books.
On OSN
The Man Who Invented Christmas
In 1843 London, author Charles Dickens finds himself in financial trouble after writing three unsuccessful novels in a row. Desperate for a hit, Dickens relies on real-life inspiration and his vivid imagination to bring Ebeneezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and other classic characters to life in A Christmas Carol, forever changing the holiday season into the celebration known today.
The Christmas Project
It’s the classic tween story about a bully who sees the error of his ways – eventually – with a festive twist.
A sibling quartet of boys, with another baby on the way, try to show the bully that it pays to be nice, and instead of playing him at his own game (tricks and pranks and general nastiness), they do it through a series of kind gestures that ultimately turn the bad guy good.
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
Based on Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet, this follow-up story sees young Clara transported to a fantasy world of gingerbread soldiers and mice armies after she loses a magical key. There she encounters the regents who preside over the land’s three realms who encourage Clara and a soldier called Phillip to brave the ominous Fourth Realm to retrieve Clara’s key and return harmony to the unstable world. The stunning sets and beautiful costumes make this a modern-day Christmas film classic that all the family will love.
Shelby: The Dog Who Saved Christmas
Animal films are always going to tug on the heartstrings, and this cute tale about an abandoned dog and the friendship he strikes up with an isolated tween does just that. Throw in a little comedy courtesy of Chevy Chase, who plays the tween boy’s grandpa, and you have a magical Christmas film with a very happy ending. It’s the power of paws, gets us every time.